Preparation of secondary alkyl and benzylic zinc bromides using activated zinc metal deposited on titanium oxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1995-3855

Sodium dispersed on titanium oxide readily reduces zinc chloride leading to a highly active zinc powder which inserts into secondary alkyl and benzylic bromides under mild conditions, producing the corresponding zinc reagents in high yields. Compared to zinc dust, this activated zinc allows the preparation of secondary benzylic zinc bromides with significantly less Wurtz-coupling products.